Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier

Briksdal Glacier is the star here, but the walk to reach it may be just as memorable. You follow a broad trail beside rushing water, pass powerful waterfalls, and climb toward a milky-blue glacier lake framed by steep mountains. I like the short Lake Olden photo stop and the way guides such as Lulu, Laura, Gabriel, and Gabriele have added useful local stories along the drive.

I also like that the meeting point is close to the cruise pier, so you can reach it on foot without arranging a taxi. The main caution is simple: this is not a flat stroll. Uphill sections, steps, rain, and wet pavement can make the walk demanding, especially if you are trying to keep a quick pace.

Key points to know before you go

• The glacier walk takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes of the tour: You have time to walk, stop for photos, and enjoy the glacier lake.
• The trail is wide and mostly paved or gravel: It is manageable for many people, but it includes steep sections and some steps.
• Waterfalls are part of the experience: Expect spray near one waterfall, especially after rain.
• The ride follows Lake Olden: A short photo stop at turquoise Olden Lake adds another fine view before the hike.
• The tour begins near the cruise pier: You make your own way to Norway Excursions Olden, rather than receiving hotel pickup.
• Troll cars can help with the climb: They are not listed as included, so arrange and pay for that option separately if you need it.

Why Briksdal Glacier makes a strong shore excursion

A cruise stop in Olden gives you access to some of western Norway’s most dramatic scenery without requiring a full-day trip. Briksdal Glacier, or Briksdalbreen, sits at the end of a mountain valley, where ice reaches toward a small glacier lake. The setting gives you several rewards in one outing: a scenic drive, a short lakeside stop, waterfalls, a mountain walk, and a close view of a glacier.

The glacier is not the only reason to book. The route to it keeps changing in small but pleasing ways. One moment you are beside a river, then walking below a waterfall, then looking up at bare rock and snow-bright slopes. The final view opens toward the glacier and its pale blue water.

At $128.19 per person, this is not a bargain bus ride. You are paying for transport from the port area, a local guide, the organized timing needed for a cruise stop, and access to a place that would take more planning to reach independently. If you want only a quick drive and a photo, the price may feel high. If you want a guided half-day outing with a real walk and a famous natural sight, the cost is easier to justify.

Meeting in Olden and riding toward Lake Olden

You meet at Norway Excursions Olden on Rv60, within walking distance of the cruise pier and most Olden hotels. There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to leave the ship, walk to the meeting place, and find the guide. Cruise passengers need to provide their ship name when booking, which helps the operator plan around port schedules.

The vehicle may be a large bus, including a double-decker on some departures. That gives the group room, but seating can feel tight when the bus is full. The maximum group size is 45 people, so this is a shared excursion rather than a private outing.

The drive through Olden begins the sightseeing. You pass Olden Church and continue toward Lake Olden, known locally as Oldevatn. The road follows the water, with mountains rising around the long, narrow lake. The guide provides commentary during the ride, and recent departures have included guides such as Lulu and Laura, along with drivers such as Marion and Marius.

This part matters more than it may seem. A drive through beautiful country can turn into a forgettable transfer when nobody explains what you are seeing. Here, the guide helps connect the views with local place names and background. The quality can vary by departure, especially when a multilingual guide is working with a mixed group, but English is the stated language of the activity.

The turquoise-water stop at Oldevatn Camping

The photo stop at Oldevatn Camping lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough time to step off the bus, stretch your legs, and take pictures of the lake and surrounding mountains. The water can look turquoise, especially in the right light, with the color coming from fine glacial sediment.

Do not expect a long walk or a full visit to the lake. This is a brief viewpoint stop, not a separate attraction. Still, it breaks up the drive and gives you a wide view before the trail becomes the focus.

Bring your phone or camera ready. Ten minutes passes quickly, especially if several buses are using the same stop. If the weather is clear, this may be one of your best chances for a broad, distant view of the surrounding peaks.

Starting the Briksdalbreen walk

The bus continues to Briksdalsbre Mountain Lodge, the starting point for the walk. The trail to Briksdal Glacier is described as relatively flat overall, but that wording can mislead you. The route has uphill sections, including a steeper stretch near the beginning, and there are steps in at least one part of the path.

Most of the route is wide and well maintained, with paved or gravel surfaces. That makes it far easier than a rough mountain trail. You do not need technical hiking skills, but you do need enough stamina for an uphill walk and a return journey. Some people complete the walk in roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way, while the planned glacier portion of the tour is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Your pace and the number of photo stops will determine how much time you have at the viewpoint.

The trail runs close to a river, and waterfalls appear along the way. One waterfall is especially notable because the path passes near its spray. Wear a waterproof layer, even if the forecast looks acceptable. Rain can make the route feel much harder, and the spray can leave you wet regardless of the weather.

The guide may walk with the group or allow you to proceed at your own pace. That arrangement gives you freedom to stop for pictures, but it also means you should pay attention to the meeting instructions and bus departure time. This is not a fully escorted hiking tour in which the guide leads every person step by step.

Reaching the glacier lake and the best view

At the end of the path, you reach a viewpoint near the glacier lake. Briksdal Glacier hangs above the water, with floating ice often visible in the lake. The view is not a close approach onto the ice. It is a mountain viewpoint where you can see the glacier descending toward the water.

This is the point that makes the uphill effort worthwhile. The final scene combines ice, water, rock, and waterfalls in one frame. You will likely want time to take photographs, but avoid spending every minute looking at the view through your phone. The glacier is best appreciated as a complete setting, not just as a blue-white patch in a picture.

The glacier has shrunk significantly over time. That fact adds a serious note to an otherwise cheerful excursion. You are seeing a beautiful natural feature, but also one that is changing. The viewpoint offers a chance to notice that change rather than treating the glacier as a frozen, permanent object.

Depending on your pace, you may have time for a rest, more pictures, and a visit to the facilities or gift shop near the lodge area. The exact balance depends on the group and the bus schedule. Keep an eye on the time, since the return drive to Olden is part of the four-hour total.

How hard is the walk?

The operator classifies the activity as an easy, or green, hike, but the practical experience ranges from easy to moderate. That difference comes down to fitness, weather, and pace. A fit walker may find the broad trail comfortable. Someone with limited stamina may find the slope, wet conditions, and return climb tiring.

The most useful way to think about it is this: you need to walk uphill for around an hour, stop at the glacier, and walk back. You do not need to scramble over rocks, but you should be comfortable with inclines and steps.

Wear shoes with a firm grip. Sandals and smooth-soled casual shoes are poor choices in rain. Pack a waterproof jacket, warm layers, and clothing that can handle spray. The weather can change quickly in the mountains, and a wet day can turn an ordinary incline into a real workout.

If the walk is too much, troll cars can drive most of the way up. They do not take you all the way to the glacier, so expect an additional walk of about 15 minutes from their drop-off point. The cars are not included in the tour price, and you should arrange that option in advance if mobility is a concern.

Guide quality, group size, and bus comfort

The guide is most useful during the drive and at the start of the walk. Recent departures have featured Lulu, Laura, Lara, Gabriel, and Gabriele, with praise for their friendly help, clear explanations, and willingness to take photographs. Names are not guaranteed, but the operator uses local guides and may provide a multilingual English guide when groups are mixed.

A guide can also make the cruise-port timing less stressful. You are not trying to work out the road, parking, and return schedule on your own. The tradeoff is that a group tour follows a fixed plan. If you prefer to linger at every viewpoint or set your own hiking pace, a rental car may offer more freedom, assuming you are comfortable handling the logistics yourself.

The bus is generally described as clean and on time. A double-decker can give you excellent views during the drive, but it can also feel crowded. With up to 45 people, expect a public tour atmosphere rather than quiet private transport.

There is no stated meal or free water included. Bring your own water and a snack, especially if you tend to get hungry after exercise. The tour is short enough that a full meal is not expected, but you should not rely on refreshments being provided.

Is $128.19 good value?

The price makes the most sense for cruise passengers who want a simple, organized route to Briksdal Glacier. You meet close to the port, ride through the Olden valley, stop at Lake Olden, receive commentary, and return to the same meeting point in about four hours. That time control is useful when your ship has a fixed departure.

The value is weaker if you see the transport as only a short bus ride followed by an independent walk. The guide does not necessarily stay beside every person for the whole hike, and the glacier path is clear enough to follow. One unhappy participant may reasonably feel that the excursion resembles a transfer rather than a fully guided adventure.

The strongest reason to pay for this tour is convenience. The strongest reason not to is cost. If your priorities are port safety, a guide, and a set schedule, the price is fair enough. If you are comfortable arranging transport and want to control every stop, compare independent options before booking.

Who should book this Olden excursion?

I would choose this tour if you want to see a glacier during a short port call and are comfortable walking uphill. It suits couples, families with active older children, and adults who enjoy scenic walks but do not want a technical hike.

It is less suitable if you have serious mobility limits, dislike wet weather, or want a slow, flat outing. The troll cars may help, but the final walk still remains, and the tour is built around reaching the glacier viewpoint.

The experience also suits first-time visitors to the area. You get a clear introduction to Olden without spending the whole day on a bus. The lake stop, waterfalls, and glacier give you a good range of scenery in a compact outing.

Practical details before booking

The tour lasts about four hours and is offered in English, though mixed groups may use a multilingual guide. Departures in April and October may be English only because fewer guides are available during those months.

You should receive confirmation when booking. Service animals are allowed. The activity depends on suitable weather, and if poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the operator offers another experience or a refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. That policy matters on a cruise, so check your ship schedule carefully before committing.

Should you book the Briksdal Glacier tour?

Book it if the idea of walking beside waterfalls to a glacier lake appeals to you more than simply viewing Norway from a bus window. The scenery is the main event, and the route gives you a satisfying taste of mountain Norway in half a day.

Skip it if you expect a gentle stroll, a private guide, or extensive time at the glacier. The uphill walk can be strenuous in rain, the bus may be crowded, and the $128.19 price rewards convenience more than independence.

For most active cruise passengers, I think the combination works well: a short scenic drive, a memorable lake stop, a well-maintained but uphill trail, and a dramatic glacier view before a scheduled return to Olden.

FAQ

Where does the Olden Briksdal Glacier tour begin?

It begins at Norway Excursions Olden on Rv60 190, 6788 Olden, Norway. The meeting point is within walking distance of the cruise pier and most Olden hotels.

How long does the excursion last?

The full activity lasts approximately four hours, including the drive to Briksdal Glacier, the walk, and the return to Olden.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You make your own way to the meeting point.

How long is the walk to Briksdal Glacier?

The glacier portion of the tour is scheduled for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Many people complete the walk up in roughly 30 to 60 minutes, depending on pace and stops.

Is the trail flat?

The trail is wide and mostly paved or gravel, but it has uphill sections, some steep inclines, and steps. You should have a strong level of physical fitness.

Can I use a troll car instead of walking?

Troll cars can drive most of the route, but they are not included in the tour price. From the drop-off point, you still need to walk about 15 minutes to the glacier.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the activity is offered in English. A multilingual guide may lead a mixed group, while departures in April and October may be guided in English only.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation by you is available up to 24 hours before the local start time.